When the Apostle Paul wrote his first book to the Thessalonians they had only been Christians about three weeks when they received the letter. As we read our devotional, the extended reading reveals Paul's great desire to once again be with these he had led to the Lord.

He repeats time and again that he wants to be with them to help in their spiritual growth, verses 2, 5, 6, 10 and 11 . Paul had the desire to see his new converts mature in the Lord.

This is a great example to all of us, even those of us who are so-called "professional ministers". Have you known a "minister" who gets so busy that he has no time for ministering to the "flock"? That is a tough question for me to answer. I don't know about you, I do know about me. I need to spend more time following Paul's example.

Paul actually shares with us that ministering to others is a real joy, verse 9. I love that thought from the previous chapter in I Thessalonians 2:19-20. Those who Paul had led to the Lord are a "rejoicing to him", they are his glory and joy. Notice that there is a "crown" at the Judgment Seat of Christ which we will receive, the "Crown of Rejoicing," for being a soul winner, I Thessalonians 2:19.

By the way, Paul had trained up a "helper", a "fellow laborer", a young man named Timothy. Paul was ministering one-on-one with Timothy and at the same time wanting to minister to the Church in Thessalonici.

I get tired just reading about Paul's ministry, what a schedule he had. He worked, looking for the privilege of establishing the hearts of these new converts. He wanted them to be un-blamable in holiness before God the Father at the second coming of Jesus Christ, with all of His saints.

Paul sets the bar high for us to reach up to as we follow his example of ministering to all people. A motivation for this is the reality that we will stand before Him and it will be revealed what we have done for Him and among His people, the Christians that we have opportunity of ministry with today.

PRAYER THOT: Dear Lord, give me the hunger to minister to people so that they might be established in their hearts, un-blamable in holiness at the Second Coming of Christ.